Association of physical activity with a systolic blood pressure difference between arms in older people

Abstract

Aim: A increase in interarm systolic blood pressure difference (IASBPD) is believed to lead to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and to be a predictor of future cardiovascular events. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that an increased IASBPD is associated with reduced physical activity in older people. Methods:Older people who used a geriatric health services facility (n = 147, mean age 83.3 years) were enrolled. The prevalence of IASBPD in individuals with different levels of physical activity and factors that have a crucial effect on IASBPD were investigated. The study participants were divided into three groups according to their physical activity; ambulant persons (group A), wheelchair users (group B) and bedridden persons (group C). Blood pressure around the both brachiums was simultaneously measured using two automated devices. An IASBPD of ≥10 mmHg was considered to be significant IASBPD.Results: The median IASBPD was 4.5 mmHg in the present study participants, and 28 participants (19.0%) had an IASBPD ≥10 mmHg. The IASBPD in group C was greater than that in group A or B. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that physical activity was the independent predictor of IASBPD after adjustment for possible factors. Furthermore, a logistic regression analysis with the end-point of significant IASBPD showed that physical activity is an independent predictor of significant IASBPD.

Fatores associados à condição de acamado em idosos brasileiros: resultado da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde, 2013

“…Studies show that SAH and hypercholesterolemia are present in the majority of the old people population, and end up becoming one of the main causes for the development of other complications, whether or not it is associated with another disease. 23,[25][26][27] . SAH and high cholesterol can trigger cardiac, renal, peripheral and cerebral vascular impairment, leading to a hindered quality of life, resulting in the old person being unable to perform their activities due to neurological and motor complications 23,[25][26][27] , condition that explains the association found between NCDs, SAH, hypercholesterolemia and being bedridden.…”

“…The cross-sectional research carried out with Japanese old people with the objective of testing the hypothesis that an increase in the difference in systolic blood pressure between the arms would be associated with a reduction in physical activity in old people, found that bedridden old people presented a difference in the systolic blood pressure between the arms in relation to walking and wheelchair-using old people 26 . Still, the bedridden lack of physical activity can be a predictive factor to raise blood pressure.…”